Women & Power Through the Years

What happens when you put the words “women” and “power” together? Since our first gathering in 2002, thousands of participants and hundreds of speakers answered that question with courage, innovation, wit, and wisdom.

This gathering, one of Omega’s most popular events, brings together a diverse and inspiring group of speakers and participants who want to spark hopeful change--at home, at work, in their communities. In a weekend of talks and conversations, experiential practice, breakout workshops and entertainment, we learn, connect, rest, and are buoyed by the support of each other.

Below, we share a selection of Women & Power speakers from our growing community of women leaders as we reflect and work together to redefine power in a way that values empathy, justice, and collaboration.

Self & Interconnectedness

angel Kyodo williams, author, activist, and master trainer, describes the internal path to compassion by using practice to become more aware of the connection between oneself and others at Women & Power: Being Bold in 2015.

Reaching Across Differences Makes Us Stronger

Bonnie St. John, Paralympic gold medalist and best-selling author, discusses how knowing each other, mentoring, and having the courage to engage in difficult conversations strengthens us at Women & Power: Being Bold in 2015.

Imagining a New Reality

Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of Omega Institute and the Omega Women’s Leadership Center (OWLC), imagines a society in which love, health, and wellness are priorities for all at Women & Power: Connecting Across the Generations in 2014.

Changing Systems, Behaviors & Values

Ai-jen Poo, MacArthur Fellow and director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, describes the three arenas we need to change in order to affect meaningful social change and to create a more caring society at Women & Power: Find Your Own Strength in 2013.

Anger Into Action

Isabel Allende, acclaimed novelist and lifelong human rights advocate, talks about the turning of anger and grief into creative healing as an artist and mother at Women & Courage in 2008.

Intersectionality & Peace

Kimberle Crenshaw, professor of law at UCLA and Columbia and an authority on Critical Race Theory and Civil Rights, suggests that an intersectional lens is the only way to find true peace for all people at Women & Power: Women, Power, & Peace in 2007.

Independence to Interdependence

Gloria Steinem, feminist and social justice activist, calls on women to celebrate their independence on the way to achieving a healthy and equal interdependence at Women & Power: Our Time to Lead in 2003.